Russia is operating a secret ordinance development program in China to construct drones for forward deployment in Ukraine, according to a Wednesday report by Reuters.
Two European intelligence sources told the news outlet that IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of the Russian state-owned security contractor Almaz-Antey, has successfully fabricated a loitering munition called the Garpiya-3 with the help of local technicians in the communist county.
The manufacturer reportedly advised Russia’s defense ministry earlier this year that it was able to mass produce the weapon at a factory scale, and finished examples were ready for battlefield introduction against Ukrainian forces.
The "G-3," an apparent upgraded version of the Garpiya-A1, is thought to have a range of 1,200 miles and a payload capacity of 110 pounds.
Almaz-Antey, Kupol, and the Kremlin did not respond to requests for comment on the matter, while China’s foreign ministry informed Reuters they were unaware of the project.
Officials in Beijing have repeatedly denied allegations they allow military materials to be exported for use in Ukraine.
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